The Department offers the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The nursing program haS approval of the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN), 5207 Essen Lane, Suite 6, Baton Rouge, LA 70809, (225) 763-3570 and IS accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), 61 Broadway – 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006, (212) 363-5555 and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530 Washington, DC 20036, (202) 463-6930. Graduates are eligible to apply to take the licensure examination for registered nurse (NCLEX RN).

Due to the limited number of faculty and clinical facilities, a quota has been placed on the number of students admitted to clinical nursing courses. To be admitted to one of the programs, a student must first meet the requirements of the university and then make separate application to the appropriate program. The policy outlining priorities for admission can be obtained from the Department upon request. Admission and curriculum requirements are subject to change as deemed necessary by the faculty and administration to ensure an effective program of study.

There are expenses unique to the nursing programs over and above the university expenses. Student handbooks describe the expenses as well as policies unique to each program. Student handbooks can be downloaded from www.nicholls.edu/nursing.

It is the responsibility of any student charged with, convicted of, pled guilty or no contest to, or been sentenced for any criminal offense in any state to petition the Louisiana State Board of Nursing in writing for the right to practice as students of nursing in Louisiana prior to enrolling in the first clinical course and to provide certified documentation of charges, indictment, and pardon or restitution.

Individuals who are not U.S. citizens are expected to have an Alien Registration number.

A student cannot earn a minor in nursing.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program

The university awards the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree to those students who successfully complete the program below.

This nursing program prepares the individual for self directed practice, continuing growth in professional nursing, and for formal graduate study. The graduate serves as advocate and provider of nursing services for clients of all ages within family and community settings.

Criteria for Entry, Progression, and Retention

Students may apply for entry into NURS 225 by submitting an Application for BSN Clinical Courses. Appropriate dates for submitting applications may be obtained from the Department of Nursing. Students on probationary status are not permitted to enroll in any nursing courses with a clinical component. Minimum requirements of entry into NURS 225 are:

Completion of required first 36 hours of BSN curriculum.

Have a grade-point average of at least 2.75 (4.0 scale) in all required courses with no grade below a C. Only the first 36 hours of required courses in the freshman year of the BSN curriculum will be utilized to determine grade-point average.

Criteria for Retention and Progression

To progress in the clinical nursing sequence, students must maintain a minimum grade of C and a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 (4.0 scale) in all required courses in the curriculum and satisfy all prerequisite requirements.

A student is permitted one failure or withdrawal once admitted to the clinical nursing sequence. A second failure and/or withdrawal, in any clinical nursing course, constitutes dismissal from the program.

Students who do not successfully complete a required clinical course, who fall below a GPA of 2.0 in the nursing curriculum, or who withdraw from a required course must submit an application requesting re-entry into the clinical sequence prior to regular registration. Qualified students will be enrolled on a space available basis.

Requirements for graduation must be completed within seven years from the date of enrollment in the first clinical nursing course in the BSN Program. Failure to do so will necessitate the individual having to repeat all clinical nursing courses.

Transfer Students

Are evaluated on an individual basis for articulation into the program and must submit a letter of good standing from the most recent nursing program.

Policies outlining criteria for admission, progression, retention, and transfer students seeking credit can be obtained from the Department of Nursing upon request.

Licensed Personnel Articulations

Licensed personnel are evaluated on an individual basis for articulation into the program. Admission and progression of licensed personnel are governed by the following respective articulation guidelines.

LPN-BSN

The LPN-BSN Articulation provides an opportunity for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to pursue a BSN degree, and is designed to validate and award credit for existing knowledge, while remaining consistent with the objectives of the generic BSN Program.

Criteria for Admission/Retention/Progression:

Same criteria as generic BSN Program.

Yearly documentation of unencumbered Louisiana LPN licensure on file in the Department of Nursing.

Contact the Department of Nursing for information on credit by examination and/or competency testing.

RN-BSN ARTICULATION

The RN-BSN Articulation provides an opportunity for Registered Nurses (RNs) to pursue a BSN degree, and is designed to validate and award credit for existing knowledge, while remaining consistent with the objectives of the generic BSN Program.

Criteria for Admission/Progression:

Yearly documentation of unencumbered Louisiana licensure as a RN on file in the Department of Nursing.

Maintenance of a minimum grade of C and a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 (4.0 scale) in all required courses in the curriculum.